Customer Questions and Answers for Idler Spring (Dryer) by Whirlpool

This idler spring maintains proper tension on the dryer's drive belt by pulling the idler arm. Replacing a weak or broken spring restores consistent drum rotation and helps prevent belt slippage and noise.

• Applies tension to the idler pulley arm to keep the drive belt tight
• Helps the motor turn the drum smoothly without belt slip
• A worn, stretched, or broken spring may cause the drum not to turn or the belt to slip off
• Can contribute to squealing or chirping from the belt/pulley area

• Disconnect power; turn off gas supply for gas dryers
• Access the belt path; note belt routing and spring attachment points before removal
• Release belt tension, move the idler arm, attach the new spring, and re-tension the belt
• Rotate the drum by hand to verify belt tracking before reassembly and test run